By Enmanuel Vasquez, FruitTree Direct. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer
Young fig trees often fruit in their first or second year after planting, far sooner than apples or pears. University of Illinois Extension notes that figs can bear the very first year. A healthy potted Chicago Hardy can set figs its first summer, and a bare root Violette de Bordeaux may fruit around its first year in warm zones. Heavier crops build over the following years as the tree fills out.
Our two figs at a glance
| Fig | Arrives as | USDA zones | First fruit | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Hardy | Live plant, 1-gallon pot | 5 to 10 | Often the first or second year | Cold winters, pots | From $57.95 |
| Violette de Bordeaux | Bare root, 2 to 3 ft | 6 to 10 | May fruit around the first year | Small spaces, rich flavor | From $59.95 |
What decides how fast a fig fruits
- Sun. Figs need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun. In shade they grow leaves, not figs.
- Season length. Figs ripen with heat. In short northern summers, late figs may not ripen before frost.
- Steady water. Dry spells while figs are forming make the tree drop them.
- Light feeding. Too much nitrogen fertilizer pushes leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
- Size and age at planting. A well-rooted potted plant usually fruits sooner than a small rooted cutting.
6 reasons your fig tree isn't fruiting
- It's still settling in. A freshly planted or transplanted fig spends its first months growing roots. Give it a season.
- Not enough sun. Move potted figs into full sun, or prune back whatever is shading an in-ground tree.
- Too much nitrogen. Lawn fertilizer or rich feeds make big leaves and few figs. Feed lightly, if at all, once the tree is established.
- Irregular watering. Water deeply and steadily from spring through harvest, especially in pots, which can need water every day or two in summer heat.
- Winter dieback. In zones 5 and 6, a hard winter can kill the top back to the ground. Chicago Hardy fruits on new wood, so it can still crop the same summer if the season is long enough.
- Figs drop before they ripen. Small figs falling off usually means stress: drought, a sudden heat wave or a very young tree. Steady water and mulch help.
How to get figs sooner
- Start with a well-rooted plant and put it in your sunniest spot.
- In zones 5 and 6, grow it in a large pot and move it into an unheated garage once the leaves drop, so it keeps last year's wood.
- Mulch the root zone and water deeply and evenly.
- Skip heavy nitrogen feeding.
Which fig to buy for the fastest harvest
If your winters are hard, buy Chicago Hardy: it ships as a live plant in a 1-gallon pot and can regrow and fruit after a freeze. If you garden in zone 6 or warmer, or want a compact tree for a pot, Violette de Bordeaux stays about 6 to 10 ft and has a rich, berry-like flavor. Both are self-fertile, so one tree is enough. Compare them in detail in best fig trees for cold climates, or browse all fig trees.
Frequently asked questions
Do fig trees fruit the first year?
Often, yes. Figs are one of the few fruit trees that can bear in their first year, especially a well-rooted potted plant in full sun.
Why does my fig tree drop fruit before it ripens?
Usually stress: dry soil, a heat wave, or a very young tree that can't support its crop yet. Water deeply and steadily and mulch the root zone.
How many times a year does a fig tree fruit?
Some figs give two crops: an early breba crop on last year's wood and a main crop on new growth later in summer. Violette de Bordeaux can set an early breba crop in warm zones; Chicago Hardy's main crop comes on new wood.
Should I fertilize a fig tree to get more fruit?
Only lightly. Too much nitrogen makes leaves instead of figs. Mulch and steady water do more for fruiting than heavy feeding.
Do I need two fig trees for fruit?
No. Chicago Hardy and Violette de Bordeaux set fruit without pollination, so a single tree fruits on its own.
Bottom line
Figs are the fastest way to homegrown fruit: plant a healthy fig in full sun, water it steadily, go easy on fertilizer and you can pick figs within a year or two. Choose Chicago Hardy for cold winters and Violette de Bordeaux for warm zones and pots. Not sure about your zone? Use our Find Your Growing Zone tool.
Source: University of Illinois Extension, "Go figure: figs are a great addition to home gardens."